Fall in number of NHS psychiatrists treating children in England

The number of NHS psychiatrists treating troubled children and young people is falling, despite a surge in demand among under-18s who need urgent mental health care.

NHS workforce statistics show that the number of full-time equivalent psychiatrists working in child and adolescent mental health services in England fell to 942 in July – its second lowest number on record, down from 970 in January this year .

The drop has occurred despite high-profile pledges, made by Theresa May and NHS chiefs, to expand and improve the mental healthcare under-18s receive, and to put more money into it.

The 942 psychiatrists who were employed in England in July represented the second lowest figure since NHS Digital began keeping records in 2009, and only seven more than the record low of 935 working in July 2017.

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